Boat won(39)t Start-gctid814971

06-26-2017, 10:47 AM

I was out on my boat yesterday and when i tried to start it the engine wouldn't turn over the first time, so i readjusted the throttle and tried to start it again. This time I got nothing but a single click noise.

Not really sure what could be causing this. I have read it could be either a starter or the solenoid. The blower and the trim were still working so I don't think it is a dead battery.

My main fear is a possible seized engine, but I don't think i would have gotten anything the first time i tried to start it if it was a seized engine.

If anyone has any experience with this problem and could offer some suggestions that would be great.

Heard it click? It's probably the slave solenoid. You can jump the two large posts on top to test. Make sure your battery cables have good clean solid contact at both ends of both the positive and negative cables. If none of that seems to help then I'd move onto the starter motor and its solenoid next.

Comment

The single click noise could be the starter or the solenoid. If you have a helper it would be helpful so one can be at engine to find where click is coming from. Only way to figure it out is by testing with a meter.

For instance, connecting multimeter on DC volt scale to engine side of starter solenoid and ground will show voltage when turning key to start. If that gets 12+ volts you know the solenoid is working, then watch the meter to see how low it goes. Shouldn't drop more than a volt or two.

If DC volts drop very low, you have either bad battery (low charge), seized starter or dead starter, or worse, locked engine. If you suspect starter, try tapping on it with something solid a few taps. I've seen starters with corrosion turn after tapping, but unusual.

I suspect drained battery. Even if blower and trim work, they don't pull the large amps as when starting.

Comment

"builderdude" post=814974 wrote:
Heard it click? It's probably the slave solenoid. You can jump the two large posts on top to test. Make sure your battery cables have good clean solid contact at both ends of both the positive and negative cables. If none of that seems to help then I'd move onto the starter motor and its solenoid next.

[attachment]38376 wrote:
image.jpeg[/attachment]

In the picture, short the top two terminals together with a screwdriver, after making dam sure there are no fumes in the engine compartment. If the starter runs, that solenoid picted is the culprit. ( That's also what I would try first.) The solenoids are allegedly waterproof, however, in reality they are not . I have disassembled and cleaned corrosion from many and reused them.

Captharv 2001 2452
"When the draft of your boat exceeds the depth of water, you are aground"

Comment

"builderdude" post=814974 wrote:
Heard it click? It's probably the slave solenoid. You can jump the two large posts on top to test. Make sure your battery cables have good clean solid contact at both ends of both the positive and negative cables. If none of that seems to help then I'd move onto the starter motor and its solenoid next.

[attachment]38376 wrote:
image.jpeg[/attachment]

In the picture, short the top two terminals together with a screwdriver, after making dam sure there are no fumes in the engine compartment. If the starter runs, that solenoid picted is the culprit. ( That's also what I would try first.) The solenoids are allegedly waterproof, however, in reality they are not . I have disassembled and cleaned corrosion from many and reused them.